Design for Change Recovery Services

08/24/2025

Athletes, actors, politicians, and others often develop substance abuse disorders and some die from drug-related deaths. At the same time, their life history, drug use, and risk-taking shows the rest of us the consequences of their actions. Coverage of celebrity struggles and treatment, as well as their deaths, have changed how we perceive abuses of alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medications, as well as their treatment. Think of Betty Ford and how her alcohol addiction shocked the nation while making people realize that sometimes women, including prominent females, abuse alcohol, and when this happens, they need treatment.

Celebrities with addiction often live their lives (and sometimes die tragically) in the public arena. Yet some have shown recovery is possible, providing life lessons on addiction.

08/23/2025

Why License and Accreditation Is Important

To legally treat clients, treatment facilities must obtain a state license. To obtain a state license, our facility must meet the state’s expectation of quality treatment. Our facility also goes above and beyond a state license to receive accreditation. Our facility offers:

- High-Quality Care: We ensure the highest quality of addiction treatment. To obtain a license and accreditation, our center must meet high standards to treat people battling substance misuse or inappropriate use and mental health issues.

- Highly Trained Staff: Our staff members are experienced, qualified, and certified to treat substance misuse or inappropriate use. Not only are they highly skilled, but they are also caring, loving people who want each client to receive the help they deserve. Most of our staff have had an addiction to touch their lives in some capacity, so they are empathetic to each client that receives treatment with us.

- Access to Medical Staff: We have a certified physician, psychiatrist, and nurse who oversees medical detox in our accredited rehab program here in Lancaster, California. If a client needs medication, our physician or psychiatrist will administer and watch over the client. Detoxing should always be closely monitored because quitting cold turkey can have dangerous consequences. Safely expelling toxins built up from drugs and alcohol is done in our safe, secure, comfortable environment. Staff members will make sure they do everything possible to ensure the client’s comfort.

Here at Design for Change Recovery, we work hard to ensure clients receive a highly customized treatment plan so they get the most out of their stay with us. We have helped many clients obtain long-term sobriety through our addiction treatment programs. For more information about our licensed drug rehab in Lancaster, CA, please contact us.

Learn more: https://designforchangerecovery.com/about-us/accreditation/

08/21/2025

Client review: "Design For Change thank you for the hope, guidance and knowledge of how to give self care. Joseph thank you for the vision and courage to start this program. Your staff is amazing and share their journeys openly and honest. Along with renewed hope and the tools to make the correct life change’s possible. Georgi forever grateful for you answering the phone and explaining DFC to us. Forever grateful to each one of you.

I would highly recommend DFC to anyone in need of a rehabilitation." - Marge M

08/20/2025

Causes of the Adderall Shortage
The two main causes of the Adderall shortage are increased demand and limited supply. Other causes include the pandemic-related changes in prescribing practices and the association between the availability of ADHD drugs and non-medical use.

Increasing demand – ADHD is historically under-diagnosed, but due to improvements in diagnosis, more people are requesting and getting the drugs thus driving up the demand.

Decreasing supply – ADHD medications are Schedule II controlled substances. As such, manufacturers must adhere to stringent guidelines regarding quotas or limits the amount of the drug they can produce.

Pandemic-related issues – During the COVID-19 pandemic, the DEA lifted restrictions so people could get their stimulant prescription online. As a result, many more people had easy access to the drugs, contributing to the shortage. The easy access to ADHD drugs further increased the chances of intentional misuse.

The current Adderall shortage is the result of several factors, including teens misusing ADHD drugs. Here are some things to know about the situation

08/19/2025

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Dr. James Tracy, D.D.S., LAADC, CADCII, CET II 🌟

At Design for Change, we’re honored to have Dr. James Tracy as part of our team. With more than 20 years of experience conducting professional and family interventions, Dr. Tracy is a nationally recognized speaker and educator in the fields of:
✅ Impaired Health Care Professionals
✅ Family Treatment
✅ Op**te Addiction secondary to Chronic Pain
✅ Systemic Family Interventions

His journey into this field is deeply personal. After overcoming his own struggle with prescription drug and alcohol addiction, Dr. Tracy began conducting peer interventions for fellow dentists. Through this, he realized that early intervention could save families years of suffering—and he dedicated his life to helping others find that same relief.

Dr. Tracy has worked with some of the most respected treatment centers in the country, providing program development, family workshops, and case management. Today, as a Family Consultant at Design for Change, he facilitates family workshops and provides compassionate guidance to clients’ families, helping them heal and move forward together.

💙 We are grateful for the expertise, passion, and hope Dr. Tracy brings to every family he works with.

08/18/2025

During the height of his NBA career, Shaquille O'Neal was getting by with help from a steady flow of painkillers.

Shaq, 53, revealed to Dax Shepard during a recent appearance on his "Armchair Expert" podcast that he "had to be on pain pills to play" during his 19-year career.

The former Los Angeles Lakers center said he was using "homeboy math" when it came to his dosage.

"If it said take one, I’m taking three… I had to have them, so is that addiction?” he questioned, admitting he "didn't know" he was addicted at the time.

During the height of his NBA career, Shaquille O'Neal was getting by with help from a steady flow of painkillers. Shaq, 53, revealed to Dax Shepard during a recent appearance on his "Armchair Expert" podcast that he "had to be on pain pills to play" during his 19-year career. The former Los ...

08/14/2025

The landscape of substance abuse in America is changing at a dangerous pace. New synthetic drugs, deadly combinations, and unexpected sources of addiction are emerging faster than many people realize — often more potent and harder to treat than ever before.

At Design for Change Recovery, we believe that awareness is the first line of defense. By understanding the threats we face today, individuals, families, and communities can take action sooner, get the right help, and save lives.

The landscape of substance abuse in America is changing at a dangerous pace. New synthetic drugs, deadly combinations, and unexpected sources of addiction are emerging faster than many people realize — often more potent and harder to treat than ever before. At Design for Change Recovery, we believ...

08/13/2025

What to Expect During an Intervention

Interventions follow a structured process designed to maximize their effectiveness. Here’s what you can expect:

- Pre-Intervention Planning: Our specialists meet with family members to assess the situation and develop a personalized strategy.
- Gathering the Support Network: Family and close friends come together to express their concerns and support.
- Guided Conversation: The interventionist leads the discussion, ensuring it remains productive and focused on encouraging treatment.
- Presenting a Treatment Plan: A clear path to recovery is outlined, with options for treatment programs and next steps.
- Follow-Up & Support: Even after the intervention, we remain available to provide guidance and support for both the individual and their loved ones.

Our family care consultants have conducted thousands of interventions and are highly qualified. Contact us to begin an intervention for your loved one.

08/11/2025

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Nicholas Medici, CATC I – Counselor 🌟

Meet Nicholas — one of the many inspiring stories at Design for Change Recovery.
Nicholas battled addiction to drugs and alcohol for over a decade, starting in his early 20s. After graduating from our recovery program, he discovered his true calling: helping others overcome the disease of addiction.

Now a certified Addiction Counselor, Nicholas brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to his work. He provides client-centered care, focusing on each person’s goals and long-term success.

With training in a wide range of therapeutic approaches — from CBT and DBT to mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and twelve-step facilitation — Nicholas works alongside our team of physicians, therapists, nutritionists, and wellness specialists to provide a holistic path to recovery.

We’re proud to have Nicholas on our team, using his experience, strength, and hope to guide others toward a healthier, brighter future. 💙

08/10/2025

A little-known drug that is many times stronger than fentanyl and has killed hundreds of people in Europe is showing up in U.S. drug seizures, especially in eastern states, a government report warns.

Nitazenes, or “Frankenstein opioids” as these synthetic drugs are sometimes called, were developed in the 1950s as an alternative for pain management. Up to 4,300 times stronger than morphine, nitazenes were never approved for medical use because they posed a significant risk of fatal overdose.

Outside pharmaceutical research, little was known about nitazenes. They slipped into the illicit drug supply almost unnoticed and add a new layer of complexity to the ongoing opioid epidemic, demonstrating how easily synthetic opioids can infiltrate the market ahead of regulatory efforts and public awareness.

Powerful drugs created for pain management in the 1950s, nitazenes were never approved because of their strong potential for overdose.

08/09/2025

Client testimonial: "I had a wonderful experience here the counselors and staff were amazing. I’ve learned a lot of 12 step recovery and CBT. - Marty C"

08/08/2025

💙 Meet Joseph Hunter – Our CEO & Guiding Light 💙

With over 20 years in his own recovery and decades of experience helping others, Joseph Hunter has dedicated his life to guiding individuals and families toward healing. As a Master-level Marriage Family Counselor, he leads with compassion, trains our staff, and brings hope to everyone he meets.

Joseph is also a psychodrama specialist, certified in Positive Psychology and EMDR therapy, and travels the country leading powerful workshops that change lives.

We’re so grateful for his leadership, passion, and unwavering dedication to the mission of Design for Change Recovery. 🌟